The Guys Club: Guy Students Come on In!

Nursing Students Male Students

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Hi All!

I'm a crazy father of 2 ex-premed who just recently turned down Northwestern to go into a RN program.

I already have an Associate in Science, but I'll be getting another ADN and then go to a 4 yr school.

When I went to an info session about the RN program ill be trying to get into, out of like 70 ppl only 5 were guys.

So I want to know are there any men out there?

so i have the summer...what would you suggest on how to get a better grasp on these things before school starts in august? flash cards? certain book? etc...

Bobby

Whatever method works for you. Flashcards didn't work well for me, but I know they do for most. Some of the (topic) Made Incredibly Easy were decent. I got a pathophys book used for ~$10. There's a ton available online. Thing is, pick a topic like the heart. If you can learn the basics like anatomy, blood flow, sodium/potassium pump, action potential, depolarization/repolarization, some basic ECG strips, and a few common rhythms the big picture emerges. Then meds, assessments, therapies, etc will fall into place more naturally when you learn them in school. I think this works well because whether it's on a test in school or definitely when you take the NCLEX, you'll be presented with a scenario of symptoms or vital signs and have to deduce an appropriate answer based on the given info. The more you understand the basics, the more prepared you will be to select the right answer - even if the problem seems unfamiliar. Somewhere I saw a quote "The air goes in, the air goes out, the blood goes round and round, any deviation from this is a problem." Or something like that. If you learn what it is and why it works, you'll more quickly grasp what's going on when things aren't working like they should. I hope I haven't totally confused you.:D

KNOW YOUR PATHO COLD!

If you understand the cause of a disease state, the treatment(s) will make much more sense, rather than just rote memorization. Understanding patho will also help greatly in your critical thinking.

@voodoo

Congrats for having passed the NCLEX. I am preparing to take up NCLEX. Would you know of any really helpful review book/guide to successfully tackle NCLEX? I would really like to be comfortable with meds. What good book can I start out with? Thanks!

Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

39 year old male at South Texas College in McAllen, Tx. Starting 3rd semester of 4 in their ADN program (pedi and l&d next). Got 2 beautiful granddaughters, and am married to a 20+ year trauma/ER nurse.

Spent most of my adult life as a prison employee for the state of Texas, but making a mid-life change in careers. :)

Specializes in Radiologic Technologist, now in Nursing.

Hey Brothers,

It's me again, John, in New Mexico. I am almost half way through our first semester of the ACCELERATED RN program at Santa Fe Community College in Santa fe. The faculty there is very cool and very supportive. The classes are really intense, we're in didactic training 8 hours a day with some lab thrown in a few hours a week. In a few weeks the Labs will get more intentse and frequent. We're doing fundamentals of nursing right now and medication calculations. THey make us get a 100% on the math exams or we cannot continue in the program. It's not difficult math but it's not a stretch to make a simple mistake and lose your 100. The campus is really cool, it's in the mountains and it's really peaceful and restful. I am still having trouble with the critical thinking component, answering a test question that may have several possible correct answers and we are asked to select the most APPROPRIATE or most correct answer. I am used to science questions that are more binary (black and white) but this is fuzzy logic and it's hard to adapt to.

My microbiology is older than 5 years old (way older) so I have to retake that on top of my course load. I also need to take some A&P labs this year on top of my course load. I am really enjoying the program.

I would be interested in hearing what my brothers have to say out there. I hope I can get through this!

John in New Mexico

Specializes in Radiologic Technologist, now in Nursing.

I would recommend reading FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING by KOZIER. I think that would put you way ahead. Try to focus on the different theorists, they are really big on this in the first semester of nursing school.

Good luck!

Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).
@voodoo

Congrats for having passed the NCLEX. I am preparing to take up NCLEX. Would you know of any really helpful review book/guide to successfully tackle NCLEX? I would really like to be comfortable with meds. What good book can I start out with? Thanks!

Check out the NCLEX Review forum....

I took the Kaplan review class as part of my last semester of senior year. The book was great, and we all passed.

@MurseBobby

36yo Junior in a BSN program in CO. Looking forward to the last year and then start paying off these loans!

All of my science preparation has been very helpful but the single most valuable thing for me has been learning how to take tests well. This includes anxiety reduction and good question analysis skills. A course in study/test taking skills with a focus on science courses might be a big boon for you if that is not a strength.

I'm not a student yet, but I hope to be one starting this fall semester (getting out of the Navy in July).

But here's what's crazy: Currently, I'm in the Navy onboard a submarine. This and the SEALs are the only positions in the US Military that's 100% male. And I'm in Groton, a 100% submarine base. There's a few females up at base legal and the medical and dental clinics, but overall this base is 95% male, at least.

Going from a 95% male occupation to a 95% female occupation. Whew. This is going to be quite a role reversal for me.

Hi everyone. This is my first post & I'm glad that this forum is available. Everyone here has saved me so much time on research. I'm starting the June 23, 2008 Platt LVN class & I can't wait to start this new career. After getting some grant money, I don't mind all the taxes I used to pay LOL. Let me know if I have any classmates on here. Also, keep providing the great information. Thanks.:yeah:

Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

:wlcmggrp:

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